Minnesota DWI Arrests Will Rise Over Thanksgiving

Minnesota DWI Arrests Will Rise Over Thanksgiving

Posted By
Joshua London

Minnesota DWI arrests will skyrocket over Thanksgiving weekend. People
returning home for the holidays means huge business for local bars, but
also local police. Be smart and careful over this weekend… Remember,
your entire family is in town; if you are out with friends and you have
one too many, ask one of them to come pick you up!

If you are arrested for DWI in Minnesota, it is important to act quickly
to protect your rights. The police will give you an opportunity to call
a Minnesota DWI lawyer, and you should take advantage. A Minneapolis or
St. Paul criminal defense attorney can inform help you mitigate your predicament.
Below is an excerpt from a ABC Eyewitness News report on increased DWI
arrests and patrol over Thanksgiving.

Thanksgiving weekend has led to more than 1,600 drivers being arrested
for drunk driving over the past three years. A total of 17 people suffered
life-changing injuries after crashes caused by impaired drivers during
the same time period.

Around 600,000 Minnesota drivers, or one in seven, have a DWI arrest on
their record, officials say. Impaired driving was responsible for 279
traffic deaths since 2011 – 81 of which were in 2013.

The number of DWI arrests has been declining since 2006 when officers arrested
41,951 drivers, and officials believe it’s due to an increased awareness
in the consequences of driving drunk, Office of Traffic Safety director
Donna Berger says. Last year, the number of DWI arrestees dropped to 25,719.

“We’re encouraged by the drop in DWI arrests, but it’s
clear there is much more work to be done through education and enforcement,”
Berger said. ”The responsibility falls on all of us. Speak up if
you see a friend or family member who has had too much to drink. If you
are a server, don’t be afraid to cut off a customer.”